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Days May Be Numbered For ESPN Classic

Rumor has channel evolving into a soccer-heavy ESPN3

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted May 19, 2008 12:47 PM CDT
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(Newser) – ESPN has been hyping its coverage of Wednesday's European Champions League final, and the reason might be a soccer fan's dream come true, writes AOL Sports blogger David Warner. An ESPN columnist repeated rumors that the company might be planning to scrap its Classic channel in favor of a new ESPN3, which could revolve around English Premiere League.

The shift "may wind up being wishful thinking," says the source, but if it does happen, there's no shortage of speculation on how programming would play out. Classic fare could be spread among the ESPN offerings, Warner writes; soccer and European sports are another option—and there's always the possibility of the NHL returning to the World Wide Leader.

Manchester United will face Chelsea in the first all-English Champions League final soccer match in Moscow on Wednesday, and ESPN's hype of the match may hint at future plans.
Manchester United will face Chelsea in the first all-English Champions League final soccer match in Moscow on Wednesday, and ESPN's hype of the match may hint at future plans.   (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)
Covered with fresh grass, the soccer pitch is seen at the Luzhniki Olympic Stadium in Moscow, Monday, May 19, 2008. ESPN has been gearing viewers up for the Champions League final on Wednesday.
Covered with fresh grass, the soccer pitch is seen at the Luzhniki Olympic Stadium in Moscow, Monday, May 19, 2008. ESPN has been gearing viewers up for the Champions League final on Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
If the Chelsea-Manchester United Champions League match draws plenty of viewers, will ESPN go ahead with rumored plans to turn Classic into a European sports channel?
If the Chelsea-Manchester United Champions League match draws plenty of viewers, will ESPN go ahead with rumored plans to turn Classic into a European sports channel?   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
If ESPN scraps Classic for an EPL-focused new channel, Manchester United's Wayne Rooney may become much better known in America.
If ESPN scraps Classic for an EPL-focused new channel, Manchester United's Wayne Rooney may become much better known in America.   (AP Photo/Jon Super)
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